Monday, February 01, 2010

The nose knows! Space needed for nose work.

Canine Nose Work is all the rage in our corners. This fab new dog sport gives our furry noodle brains a real work out, which can only be a good thing. It's great for giving shy dogs a confidence boost and for breaking the doldrums of shelter life. It's also the perfect sport for dogs that can't go off-lead. (More info: k9nosework.com)

Trainer Linda Chwistek is getting ready to hold a workshop just for pit bull people, but first we need to find the right indoor space. Do you have any ideas? A warehouse type space or large training room? This is Linda's wish list, and below, a little video that shows her working her boy Aldo on a hidden scent. Thanks for any leads!

Nose Work Workshop Wish List
A large fairly empty space with floors that aren't too slippery.
Reasonable rent or - hec - we'll take free!
Available parking.
A bathroom would be nice (yes it would)
A small space outdoors for the dogs to relieve themselves.
Preference would be for Sat or Sunday afternoon availability, or a safe location if the building is available only in dark evening hours.
A location as far north as Vallejo, as far south as Berkeley, and as far east as Walnut Creek/Concord/Pleasant Hill.
Please contact Linda with any leads.




Nose photo snapped by Andre Hermann

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope you find a suitable space!! I love activities that let them use their doggy supper powers.
Kris

Anonymous said...

Nose work sounds perfect for my Ava! Sign me up when the time comes! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a suitable space. Wait - how about the East Bay SPCA? They used to have a big warehouse space where they held their own training sessions. Maybe still do? Maybe have a time slot that would work?

Anonymous said...

OOPs! I meant the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society....

Unknown said...

Of course! This makes so much sense. Thank you for the info. I'm sorry I can't help out with your question. It's something I've been thinking about, but no answers yet. Good luck to this sport!
Twink!

Melody said...

How would I know if my dog is suitable for this? I think she'll have fun but I'm not sure if she'll understand. Would we know when or where to sign up?

I'll look around, but the only places that comes to mind are more in the corporate areas.

Donna said...

Hey there Melody

From what I know, this is an activity that ANY dog can learn to do. How cool is that?

Some will be able to find their targets faster and with more enthusiasm than others, but if you're just doing it for fun, who cares how fast they are?

I'm sure Linda will be posting better info once she's ready to send out alerts for the first workshop. Stay tuned!

Donna said...

Hey there Melody

From what I know, this is an activity that ANY dog can learn to do. How cool is that?

Some will be able to find their targets faster and with more enthusiasm than others, but if you're just doing it for fun, who cares how fast they are?

I'm sure Linda will be posting better info once she's ready to send out alerts for the first workshop. Stay tuned!

loveknowsnobounds said...

How about Metro Dog, the day care near Point Isabel? No idea how much they would charge or when their space is open, but they have a nice big space they use to host training classes and such.

Melody said...

Oh that's great, my dog is a little slow. I tried it out with her last night and she went by it for almost 10mins before she just layed down. Haha, it's all for fun though so I'm excited to hear more.

I know some big fields in my area, would that work? Will keep my eyes open for more space!

Diane; The Dog Diva said...

I'm curious....what is an example of what a 'scent target' would actually be?
Thanks.

Sara said...

You use a small vented metal tin with 1-2 small Q-tips inside that are scented with essential oil. For level 1 your dog searches for birch :)

Melody- the dog in the video is doing an advanced search. Before you can expect your dog to search to find an odor, you have to start off nice and easy and teach him the game and how to hunt in an low distraction inside space.

Samantha Laine said...

A m e n a n d s i n g h a l l e l u j a h. Thank you for putting Ian Dunbar's statement out there. Working on Wilkes 146 and thinking of you and the Oklahoma Dogs December 2008. And praying for another clearer brighter day where starlight starbright means peace. And change. We love you.
LADY, GHANDI, CHARLOTTE, MANFRED, MILLIE, MIADODA, and BOSS. FAMILY TAP is the best antidote to keening I've ever come across. And you are the reason for that. Family is more than blood.